Remembering Westborough's 'intrepid explorer'

In her college-application essay, Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott wrote that she would someday be a "prominent figure" in the field of marine biology. Lizzi never had the opportunity to achieve that goal, but her loved ones are determined to make sure that her dream lives on.

In her college-application essay, Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott wrote that she would someday be a "prominent figure" in the field of marine biology.

Lizzi never had the opportunity to achieve that goal, but her loved ones are determined to make sure that her dream lives on.

Family and friends will celebrate the life of the Westborough High School graduate tomorrow at "A Night In Remembrance of Lizzi Marriott," a fundraiser to help support the Lizzi Marriott Intrepid Explorer Fund.

Lizzi was majoring in marine biology as a student at the University of New Hampshire until October 2012, when New Hampshire authorities say she was killed.

A Dover, N.H. man, 30-year-old Seth Mazzaglia, is being held on second-degree murder charges for allegedly suffocating or strangling Lizzi to death, while his girlfriend, Kathryn McDonough, 19, of Portsmouth, N.H., was released on bail after being charged with lying to police during their investigation into Lizzi’s disappearance and is awaiting a grand jury indictment.

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office in October said authorities have "credible evidence" Lizzi’s body was placed in the Piscataqua River off of Portsmouth’s Peirce Island and has not been found.

Lizzi’s father, Bob Marriott, said he is coping with the tragedy "one day at a time."

Bob said he and his wife thought of creating the Lizzi Marriott Intrepid Explorer Fund to help students who share their daughter’s enthusiasm for marine life pursue higher education and careers in the field.

Bob’s fellow members of the Westborough Athletic and Social Association (WASA) helped make the idea a reality by certifying the fund as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit and planning two major fundraisers between January and May of this year.

"A Night In Remembrance of Lizzi Marriott" will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Indian Meadows Golf Club off Rte. 9 in Westborough.

The 21-plus event will feature music from local band Outta Commission, as well as dancing, refreshments, auctions and raffles.

Tickets will be sold at the door for $25 and all proceeds will benefit the Lizzi Marriott Intrepid Explorer Fund.

Glen Zimmerman, who organized the Saturday event along with WASA members, said the group has been fundraising for a little over a month and has received generous donations from local business sponsors.

Bob said the fund will award one or more scholarships annually to students interested in marine sciences.

"We’ve already heard from one interested person," he said.

When scholarship recipients are chosen, preference will be given to applicants who attend Westborough High School or those who work at the New England Aquarium – the place that "lit up" his daughter’s vision that marine biology could be a career, Bob Marriott said.

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"I’m going to miss her until the day I die," Bob said.

Many questions surround Lizzi’s death.

A New Hampshire judge at the request of the Attorney General’s Office sealed court documents pertaining to the case against Lizzi’s alleged killer and authorities investigating her death have remained tight-lipped. It was been reported that Lizzi may have died during some type of sexual encounter with Mazzaglia and his girlfriend.

Bob said he had never heard of Mazzaglia, the man accused of killing 19-year-old Lizzi.

However, Lizzi’s friends in New Hampshire told Bob about Mazzaglia’s girlfriend, Kathryn McDonough, who became friends with Lizzi when the two worked together at a New Hampshire Target store.

"(McDonough and Lizzi) had a lot in common – they both liked Harry Potter," Bob said. "I wish they didn’t."

Aside from what has been released to the public, Bob said his family does not have much more information about Lizzi’s death.

"We told the Attorney General’s Office and Dover police that no matter how much we beg, don’t tell us anything if it will compromise the investigation," Bob said.

Mazzaglia’s grand jury indictment is expected to take place in February and Bob said he has been told it will likely take 18 to 24 months before the case goes to trial.

The grieving father said he expects that court documents may be unsealed after Mazzaglia’s grand jury proceeding.

"Maybe after the grand jury we’ll find out what really happened that night," he said.

Given what would likely be revealed during a trial, Bob said he is not sure if he would attend but "some family and friends have said that they would want to be there."

Until then, Bob said he is "channeling his emotions into helping other people feel better."

Bob said being on the receiving end of the support WASA provides is a "different experience" and the community response to his family’s tragedy has been overwhelming.

Sara Mulkeen can be reached at 508-490-7475 or smulkeen@wickedlocal.com.